Summary

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow met in 1930 and formed one of the greatest crime duos in American history. Their crime spree lasted for two years, and by the end several dozen banks and stores had been robbed, many individuals had been kidnapped, and over twelve people were killed, including nine police officers. Bonnie and Clyde's spree ended violently when police ambushed and killed the couple on May 23, 1934. These outlaws caused great public hysteria and earned celebrity-like fame during their crime-filled days, but Bonnie and Clyde also represented the problems of an entire generation trying to get ahead in the desperate days of the Great Depression. Their tragic love was admired by some, hated by others, and remembered as a notable part of American history.

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Clyde Barrow, Raymond Hamilton and Ross Dyer were drinking alcohol at a country dance in Stringtown, Oklahoma, when Sheriff C.G. Maxwell and his deputy, Eugene C. Moore, approached them in the parking lot. Barrow and Hamilton opened fire, killing the deputy and gravely wounding the sheriff

On April 1, 1934, Easter Sunday, Barrow and Henry Methvin killed two young highway patrolmen, H. D. Murphy and Edward Bryant Wheeler, at the intersection of Route 114 and Dove Road near Grapevine, Texas

On April 1, 1934, Easter Sunday, Barrow and Henry Methvin killed two young highway patrolmen, H. D. Murphy and Edward Bryant Wheeler, at the intersection of Route 114 and Dove Road near Grapevine, Texas

Stories

Controversy Over Bonnie & Clyde's Deaths

Although police had many reasons for ambushing and killing Bonnie and Clyde on May 23, 1934, especially since the couple had avoided capture before, there is controversy over Bonnie's death. Bonnie Parker was undoubtedly Clyde Barrow's partner, but when she was killed, no warrants relating to a violent crime had been issued. When the police ambushed the couple, Clyde was killed instantly, but haunting reports state that Bonnie took longer to kill and the men could hear her screaming over the shooting. The leader of the investigation and the ambush party, Frank Hamer, defended his actions by claiming that Bonnie was a violent criminal and her escape could not be risked. However, for the time and manner in which these criminals were killed, many questioned if the brutal nature of the killings was necessary for Bonnie. This controversy only furthers the legend of Bonnie and Clyde, who lived and died with a bang.

The real issue is more basic then whether they should have killed Bonnie. The violation of civil rights that occurred that morning was a miscarriage of justice even by 1930 standards. They actually handcuffed Ivy Methvin to a tree and held him hostage from 430 am until the ambush at 915am, so they could use his truck as bait. I dont believe that Clyde died instantly because they found a BAR in his hand with a jammed feed. Seems to me Clyde was attempting to shoot back. According to Ted Hinton's book Bonnie died in his arms. Surviving more than 50 penetrating bullet wounds especially one entry wound in the face would not permit even that limited a survival time. I think it was the legend of Clyde's uncanny abilility to escape ambushes that led to the overwhelming use of force. And perhaps a little revenge because Clyde was credited with killing 9 law enforcement officers. Bonnie was dead the moment the shooting started because alot of the bullets passed through Clyde and into her.

Locations

Location Timeline

Other Locations

Related Pages

Clyde Barrow, Raymond Hamilton and Ross Dyer were drinking alcohol at a country dance in Stringtown, Oklahoma, when Sheriff C.G. Maxwell and his deputy, Eugene C. Moore, approached them in the parking lot. Barrow and Hamilton opened fire, killing the deputy and gravely wounding the sheriff

On April 1, 1934, Easter Sunday, Barrow and Henry Methvin killed two young highway patrolmen, H. D. Murphy and Edward Bryant Wheeler, at the intersection of Route 114 and Dove Road near Grapevine, Texas

On April 1, 1934, Easter Sunday, Barrow and Henry Methvin killed two young highway patrolmen, H. D. Murphy and Edward Bryant Wheeler, at the intersection of Route 114 and Dove Road near Grapevine, Texas